As Abe Lincoln famously said: “Most of us are as happy as we make up our minds to be.” This suggests that to a large degree, happiness can be learned, that we can train our minds to see the good in the world around us and focus on what is pleasing, and by noticing and appreciating ‘moments of brightness’ we can amplifying them and increase their impact. What you focus on expands, thoughts held in mind attract in kind.
When folks ask me the ritualistic question “How’s your day?” I frequently respond, “I woke up in America and that is a great start to any day” and if appropriate, I frequently add “And I have you for a friend.”
One of my favorite affirmations is “I have the Habit of Happiness and an Attitude of Gratitude”. I suspect I owe a lot of my optimistic perspective to my father; one of my fondest childhood memories is listening with my dad to ‘On the Sunny Side of the Street’ on the record player.
Mental muscles are like physical muscles; the more you use them, the stronger they get. The more you notice the instances that bring a ‘small smile’ (or should if you paid attention!) to your countenance, the more you will experience.
Closing Quote:
“Grab your coat and get your hat, leave your worry at the doorstep
Just direct your feet to the sunny side of the street
Can’t you hear that pitter pat and that happy tune is your step
Life can be so sweet on the sunny side of the street
I used to walk in the shade with those blues on parade
But I’m not afraid ’cause this rover, crossed over
If I never had a cent I’ll be as rich as Rockefeller
Gold dust at my feet on the sunny side of the street
With those blues on parade
Because this rover, it crossed over
If I never had a cent, I’ll be as loaded as old Rockefeller
With that gold dust ’round my feet
On the sunny side of the street
On the side, at that side of the street that is sunny.”
– On the Sunny Side of the Street
As always, I share what I most want and need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier
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